Smoltz done?

The sport of baseball may have lost a legend today, as John Smoltz announced that at age 42, he will be having season ending surgery. Smoltz is getting old, and has already come back from Tommy John surgery in 2001, but that was a very long time ago compared to where he is now. Though he was somewhat devoid of emotion at his press conference, you could tell that the injury is eating him up inside. Smoltz is a gamer and someone that every fan can get behind and support. Sitting on the sideline when the Braves have seemingly pieced together one of their most promising lineups in years is going to kill him.

Should Smoltz retire now, he is almost certainly going to be a first ballot hall of famer. He is the only pitcher in the history of the game to have 200 wins and 150 saves, he's got his 3000 strikeouts, he has led the league in different years in saves (55) and wins (24), he's an 8-time All Star, he's got a Cy Young Award, and he's got more postseason wins (15) than any pitcher in the history of the game. Injuries have hurt his numbers, but his accomplishments should be enough to get him into Cooperstown.

In other news...

• The Joba Chamberlain experiment may need a few more tests before it is called a success. Joba went a couple innings last night, but had visits from a coach and his catcher in the first inning, almost being yanked before he could escape the first three outs. I still don't like this move and I don't know why the Yankees would mess with their bullpen when there is no one to fill the gap. The pen collapsed last night and showed how valuable Joba is in that set-up spot. Mo' may not be seeing many save opportunities without his doorstopper.

• Pedro Martinez came back and he pitched effectively last night on the other side of New York, throwing 6 innings and picking up the win. The Mets are currently in fourth place in the NL East and a healthy Pedro could be just what they need to make a push. They are only 4.5 games out and a strong starting pitcher is just what they need. Not to mention the chemistry Pedro brings to a locker room

That's it, watch the Ray vs Red Sox tonight on ESPN, two potential playoff teams in a battle for first place. Read that line again, I didn't think I'd ever write that.